GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Some of the nation's most popular monster trucks and top drivers will participate in the Grand Rapids Monster Jam this weekend.
It begins Friday and runs through Sunday. Top-level motorists will be driving their 12,000-pound trucks in various speed and skill competitions while tearing through the dirt at Van Andel Arena.
Michigan native Frank Krmel (KREM'-ul) told WOOD Radio there will be five major events. He lists a couple of them.
"You're going to see a racing competition. All of the trucks go for the fastest time, to see who the winner of racing is. Then, you're going to see a two-wheel skills competition where each truck gets two opportunities to put the truck on two wheels in whatever way they want. Either a wheelie, nose wheelie, sidewall. It's all judged on by the crowd, via their cellphones," he said.
There is also a sky wheelie competition, in which each truck driver gets an opportunity to do one big wheelie for the crowd, which will choose who did it the best. Factors that might be considered are which truck went the highest or most vertical. The freestyle competition will give each truck drive one minute on the floor to do whatever they want.
"So, they're going to combine everything they just did in all the other competitions and put it together for 60 seconds to try to get the biggest response out of the crowd," Krmel said.
The Roseville native said his favorite driving memory is snapping Dennis Andersons' streak of nine consecutive final-round racing wins.
Monster Jam is owned and operated by Feld Entertainment.
There are five shows this weekend. For more details on the schedule and ticket information, view the Identity PR news release below:
Tickets are available on Ticketmaster with Monster Jam Preferred Customers able to purchase advance tickets starting today, September 12, before tickets go on-sale to the general public on Tuesday, September 19. Fans can still sign up for free to become a Monster Jam Preferred Customer and get exclusive access to the pre-sale offer code.
The excitement begins at the Monster Jam Pit Party held in Grand Rapids on Saturday, March 23 and Sunday, March 2. Fans can see the massive trucks up close, meet their favorite drivers and crews, get autographs, and take pictures. Activities include the Sand Box play area, UNOH tire demonstration, coloring and temporary tattoo station, and new photo ops, including the chance to take a photo with the Series trophy. This fun-filled experience is the only place that allows people to get up close access to the Monster Jam teams and get an insider’s look at how these trucks are built to stand up to the competition.
Grand Rapids fans will be on the edge of their seats as the world’s best drivers show off crazy skills and all-out racing in fierce head-to-head battles for the Event Championship. Engineered to perfection, the 12,000-pound Monster Jam trucks push all limits in Freestyle, Skills, Donuts, and Racing competitions. The Arena Series West Champion will receive a highly coveted automatic bid to the prestigious Monster Jam World Finals® to compete for the title of World Champion. The 2024 Monster Jam World Finals will be held at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on May 18.
The Arena Championship Series Central features eight skilled athletes fighting for the championship while putting on a spectacle, constantly innovating and always entertaining. Back-to-back series champion and 2023 Arena Freestyle of the Year award winner Weston Anderson looks to repeat as series champion in the legendary Grave Digger®. Brianna Mahon makes her return to Monster Jam behind the wheel of Scooby-Dooä. Jamie Sullivan, driving Monster Mutt® Dalmatian, aims to secure her first series championship. Rookie Fernando Martinez grabs the bull by the horns in El Toro Loco®.
Fans are encouraged to get to their seats early to experience Monster Jam Trackside approximately one hour before the event start time. Featured festivities include competition previews, driver interviews, giveaways, opening ceremonies, and power rush truck introductions.
Monster Jam drivers are trained, world-class male and female athletes who have mastered not only the physical strength and mental stamina needed to compete, but the vital dexterity to control 12,000-pound machines capable of doing backflips, vertical two-wheel skills, and racing at speeds up to 70 miles-per-hour to produce jaw-dropping, live motorsports action seen around the world.
WHEN: Friday, March 22 –7:00PM
Saturday, March 23 — 1:00PM & 7:00PM | Pit Party – 10:30AM
Sunday, March 24 — 1:00PM & 6:30PM | Pit Party – 10:30AM
WHERE: Van Andel Arena | 130 Fulton St W, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
TRUCK LINEUP: Grave Digger® driven by Weston Anderson; El Toro Loco® driven by Fernando Martinez; Monster Mutt® Dalmatian driven by Jamie Sullivan; Megalodon® driven by Mikayla Tulachka; Just Get-Er-Done driven by Brandan Tulachka; Scooby-Dooä driven by Brianna Mahon; Zombie® driven by Frank Krmel; Stone Crusher driven by Alex Bardin
**Truck and driver line-up subject to change
TICKETS: Tickets will be available for purchase online at Ticketmaster.
Visit MonsterJam.com for more detailed information.
Monster Jam driver Frank Krmel, a Roseville, MI. native.Photo: Source: Monster Jam/Identity PR